章節 5: Home Sweet Home

I stand in total shock at how my parents are acting but on second thought, what did I expect from my parents. Of course, they didn't change, they are still the same manipulative, scheming parents as always. I better act the way that she wants me to, otherwise this could be a very long and exhausting few days.

"Please to meet you, Raymond"

He looks your way and then takes your hand and kisses it while staring at me from under his hat. He probably thinks he's being very charming but I see through his plans. He's only after the Knightleys fortune. What surprises me the most is that my parents can't see through him but then again, they must be blinded by their desperation for me to marry into a "good" family.

"It's only my pleasure, Miss Knightley"

"Don't be so modest, Raymond, you can call her Summer, ever one calls her that"

Of course, my mother would be the one that makes me off to be just another doll in her playhouse. I'm never seen as one of the "Knightleys". That name is only reserved for my brother and sister, who has claimed their right into the family name by being the perfect children they've always wanted to have. My dad finally makes his way down the stairs and takes his wife away from Raymond.

"Honey, we shouldn't smolder Raymond like that. I'm sure he's got a lot of things still to do today. Am I right, Raymond?"

"Yes, sir. Still have a few presents to buy and last-minute preparations for the big Christmas party"

Oh god no! Don't tell me my parents have invited him to the infamous Knightley Christmas party? This party looks all legal and orderly on the surface but what the older people don't know is that this party is famous under the young people. They usually make their way to the barn and do all the things their parents won't approve of. My parents are so proud that all the young people enjoy their party so much and that they always come with their parents. Little do they know…

"Aren't you happy my darling daughter? Raymond agreed to come to our annual Christmas party?!"

I put on my best-practiced smile and answers very sarcastically.

"Yes, Mommy. I'm so glad"

My mother knows me well and laughs my sarcastic answer away.

"You must excuse my daughter, Raymond. She tends to be a bit dramatic sometimes"

"No need to apologize for her, mam. I like women that speak their mind"

He gives me a wink and a sly smile. I've had my fair share of being introduced to suitors and I can easily see what type of man I'm dealing with but this one, there's something not sitting right with me about him.

"But Mr. Knightley is correct in saying that I have things to do. Thank you for your hospitality, Mrs. Knightley. I won't take up any more of your time. Good day Mr, Mrs. Knightley"

He hugs them and then decides to turn to me. "It was nice meeting you, Miss Knightley. Hope to see you again at the party?"

My mother gives me the evil-eye and I once again give him my best behavior.

"Please to meet you too"

He walks back to his newly bought black GMC Canyon. I can see it clearly now, he just wants to impress as far as he goes. Then he spins off, trying to show off his obvious small manhood. I roll my eyes and then my "real" mother appears.

"You're late Summer. What took you so long to get here?"

"Now, now honey. You know that Summer wouldn't do something to upset us, now would you, Summer?"

I know my dad's softly-forced way very well. It's not really soft it's more of a quiet-authority-or-else kind of a thing. I know what will happen to me if I don't obey and this is part of the reason I need to get out from under their grip on me.

"No, Daddy. I wouldn't"

"Good, now give your old man a hug"

I walk closer and give him the most uncomfortable hug in the world. "Now, let's get inside. It's getting cold out here"

I step into the foyer and it looks like Santa has thrown up in here. Don't get me wrong, I love Christmas decorations like the next person but seeing these decorations only brings back bad memories for me. I remember, as I walk through the house, all the places I would hide away in so that my mother couldn't introduce me to some rich kid again. Never did I ever had a Christmas without my mother forcing a boy on me. Maybe that's the reason I don't fall in love, maybe ever.

As soon as we enter the house my parents disperse and I'm left alone until the next appearance needs to be made. There was never something like family time in our house where we could just sit down and talk to each other. It was always a show and by show I mean pretending. It's the time the family could show off all their accomplishments and prices they've so eagerly earned. Of course, I was never part of it because my achievements were never worth mentioning.

"Ahh! Senorita!"

My favorite person in the world Catalina. She has been my second mom.

"Catalina!"

"I've missed you so much"

She hugs me as if she's never going to see me again. I struggle to breathe.

"Okay, okay. I've missed you too. How have you been?"

"Oh, you know as well as you can be in this house"

"I've told you this many times before. Why don't you find somewhere else to work? This place isn't good for anyone?"

She slaps me softly on my shoulder and then pick up my suitcases.

"Stop talking nonsense and let's get you settled in"

I immediately grab my suitcases out of her hands and refuse that she walks up those long stairs with her old body and my suitcases. I bet my parents still let her do all the heavy lifting.

"I'm not my mother, Catalina. When I'm here, I don't want you to be my servant but my friend. Please?"

She smiles in appreciation and the grab onto the railing to make her way upstairs. Damn you, mother, for making her work so hard and this is the reason I become a pro bono lawyer because who will stand up for these people?

As we reach my room it's just as I remember it. I can still hear my mother's voice. "Always fresh flowers darling. A lady always has a neatly made bed with no traces of it has been used" I get mad just remembering the things that were forced on me.

I put my suitcases down and then fall on my not-supposed-to-be-touched bed. Catalina almost gets a heart attack.

"Senorita, you know your mother doesn't like it when you do that!"

"What's she going to do to me, Catalina? Ground me for a week?"

We share a laugh and then I hear my mother's voice calling Catalina in the most unearthly high pitch you would ever hear.

"You better go before the monster comes looking for you"

We laugh again and then she's out the door. I lay on my bed staring at the ceiling and my thoughts wander to someone unexpected. I see his chiseled body playing like a movie before my eyes and I swear I could smell his expensive cologne.

"How did you get in my thoughts Mr. Pierce and what are you doing here?"